cascade

1 of 2

noun

cas·​cade (ˌ)kas-ˈkād How to pronounce cascade (audio)
1
: a steep usually small fall of water
especially : one of a series
2
a
: something arranged or occurring in a series or in a succession of stages so that each stage derives from or acts upon the product of the preceding
blood clotting involves a biochemical cascade
b
: a fall of material (such as lace) that hangs in a zigzag line and that is used especially in clothing and draperies
3
: something falling or rushing forth in quantity
a cascade of sound
a cascade of events
Her hair was arranged in a cascade of curls.

cascade

2 of 2

verb

cascaded; cascading

intransitive verb

: to fall, pour, or rush in or as if in a cascade
The water cascaded over the rocks.
Her hair cascaded down around her shoulders.

transitive verb

1
: to cause to fall like a cascade
2
: to connect in a cascade arrangement

Examples of cascade in a Sentence

Noun Her hair was arranged in a cascade of curls. That decision set off a cascade of events. Verb The water cascades over the rocks. Her hair cascaded down around her shoulders.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Jones said the area experienced a cascade of emergencies that included heavy rain, high winds and mudslides. CBS News, 28 Sep. 2024 These attacks may cause a cascade of issues if not dealt with promptly. Adam Singer, Forbes, 25 Sep. 2024
Verb
With cascading synths accented with gentle digital squeaks atop a simple pulsating beat, the track is refreshingly featherlight, made even more delicate by Diamond’s wispy vocals front and center. Juan Velasquez, Them, 23 Sep. 2024 Further gas and then electricity shutoffs have cascaded across four neighborhoods in two cities on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, with almost 300 homes now without electricity and 224 without gas — indefinitely. Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 22 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for cascade 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cascade.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

French, from Italian cascata, from cascare to fall, from Vulgar Latin *casicare, from Latin casus fall

First Known Use

Noun

1641, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1702, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of cascade was in 1641

Dictionary Entries Near cascade

Cite this Entry

“Cascade.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cascade. Accessed 10 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

cascade

1 of 2 noun
cas·​cade kas-ˈkād How to pronounce cascade (audio)
: a steep usually small waterfall

cascade

2 of 2 verb
cascaded; cascading
: to fall in or as if in a cascade

Medical Definition

cascade

noun
cas·​cade (ˌ)kas-ˈkād How to pronounce cascade (audio)
: a molecular, biochemical, or physiological process occurring in a succession of stages each of which is closely related to or depends on the output of the previous stage
a cascade of enzymatic reactions
the cascade of events comprising the immune response

More from Merriam-Webster on cascade

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